BTS Members Complete Military Service; “Full-Seven Member” Reunion Imminent

K-pop supergroup BTS is nearing the completion of its former members’ military service. The group, which stepped away from stages in 2022 to pursue solo activities and serve in the military, has finished preparing to reunite as a full seven-member unit after approximately three years. On June 10, RM (Kim Nam-jun) and V (Kim Tae-hyung) held their discharge ceremonies at the Sinbuk-eup Sports Park in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. During the ceremonies, the two members saluted their fans in military uniforms and welcomed them with saxophone performances. RM said, “I’m ready to run again as RM of BTS. Thank you for waiting for us,” while V stated, “Military service was a time to reset both physically and mentally. I want to return to ARMY soon. Thank you for waiting.” Hundreds of fans, including those who traveled from abroad, gathered at the discharge ceremonies to celebrate the two members’ return. Zanya, a 28-year-old fan from the UK, said, “It’s truly amazing to see the place where BTS grew, sang, and danced in Seoul. I want to tell RM and V that you are a huge inspiration to me and that I love you very much.” Ivory, a fan from Australia, added, “I’ve missed you all for such a long time. I’m happy that you’re back and free again.” RM and V enlisted in December 2023 and served respectively in the 15th Infantry Division Band and the Military Police Special Task Force. RM worked as a saxophonist in the band, while V served in the military police special task team. Jimin and Jung Kook completed their service on June 11 at the 5th Infantry Division, and the last member, SUGA, will finish his community service on June 21. SUGA chose to serve as a public service officer instead of undergoing regular military duty. This means the full seven-member unit that stepped away from stages in June 2022 will reunite after about three years. The group’s agency, HYBE, displayed the message “We are back” along with BTS’s official logo and ARMY’s logo at its headquarters building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to mark the discharge of its members. This decoration is set to remain in place until June 29, coinciding with BTS’s 12th anniversary on June 13. Meanwhile, BTS plans to hold the 2025 BTS Festa at KINTEX in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi Province, from June 13 to 14 to celebrate its 12th anniversary since Debut. Last year, before their military service, all former members renewed their contracts with HYBE, and the industry expects the group to create a major impact globally through music sales, streaming, and concerts once they return as a full unit.